Learn how to take an idea and turn it into a published technical article or book with this authoritative guide. Chapter 9, "Soliciting Feedback," shows you how to solicit feedback from others and provides suggestions on how to incorporate reviewer feedback into your work. It begins by telling you why feedback is important and continues with suggestions on how to find reviewers who will carefully critique your work and make recommendations on ways you can improve it. Then, it offers advice on when and how to ask others for feedback, and it provides suggestions on what to do with any feedback you receive Finally, it discusses how to deal with your feelings if you receive feedback that's less than favorable, and it concludes with some recommendations on how to reward those who offered their services to help you improve your writing.

About author

Roger E. Sanders —Roger E. Sanders is the President of Roger Sanders Enterprises, Inc. and a Senior Consultant Corporate Systems Engineer with EMC Corporation. He has been working with DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows since it was first introduced on the IBM PC (as part of OS/2 1.3 Extended Edition) and is the author of 22 books on relational database technology (21 books are on DB2 and one book is on ODBC).

For the past nine years, Roger has authored the Distributed DBA column in IBM Data Management Magazine (formerly DB2 Magazine) and, over a 14-year period, he has written numerous tutorials and articles for IBM's developerWorks Web site as well as for publications such as Certification Magazine and IDUG Solutions
Journal (the official magazine of the International DB2 User's Group).

In 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, Roger was recognized as an IBM Champion for his contributions to the IBM Data Management community; in 2010, he was recognized as an IBM developerWorks Contributing Author, and in 2011, he was recognized as an IBM developerWorks Professional Author for his contributions to IBM's developerWorks Web site. He lives in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina (population 39,042).

Contents

CONTENTSAbout the AuthorAcknowledgmentsForeword by Kim MoutsosForeword by Jonathan GennickForeword by Susan VisserPrefaceIntroduction

Chapter 1: Before You BeginWriting Is Hard WorkObstacles That Get in the Way of WritingHow to Write a LotProcrastinationA Word About Writer's Block“Anything Worthwhile Is Never Easy”

Chapter 3: First Steps – Technical BooksThe Process for Writing a Technical BookFinding a PublisherObtaining Submission GuidelinesCrafting a Book ProposalWriting an Effective Query LetterResponding to a Request for Your ProposalA Word About Simultaneous SubmissionsFollowing UpHandling RejectionA Word About Literary AgentsHow to Tell Good Agents from BadFinding a Reputable AgentNext Steps

Chapter 4: The Publishing Agreement, the Author Questionnaire, and Working with an EditorThe Publishing AgreementThe Structure of a Typical Publishing Agreement for a BookThe Structure of a Typical Publishing Agreement for an ArticleNegotiating the Terms of a Publishing AgreementThe Author QuestionnaireStructure of a Typical Author QuestionnaireWorking with an EditorGetting Started with the Writing

Chapter 5: Developing the First DraftCreate a Working Outline and Write to ItCraft a Strong OpeningUse Headings and Subheadings AppropriatelyAdhere to the Basic Rules of Good WritingFind Your Voice and Set the Proper ToneUse Transitions EffectivelyFinish with a Strong ClosingA Word About Publisher TemplatesA Word About Production NotesYour Work Doesn't End When the First Draft Is Done

Chapter 7: Staying Out of TroubleBias-Free TextGuidelines for Writing Bias-Free TextFinal Thoughts on Bias-Free WritingDefamation, Libel, and SlanderTesting for Libel StatementsPractical Ways to Reduce Liability for DefamationPlagiarismA Word About “Common Knowledge”Final Thoughts About PlagiarismCopyright InfringementWhat Exactly Is a Copyright?Who Owns a Copyright?How Long Does a Copyright Last?The Public DomainThings That Cannot Be CopyrightedThe Fair Use DoctrineObtaining Permission to Use Copyrighted MaterialA Word About Self-Plagiarism and Copyright InfringementIf in Doubt, Ask

Chapter 8: Revising for PerfectionThe Purpose of RevisionEarly Revisions“Kill Your Darlings”Add What Is EssentialPolish Your ProseThe Final DraftRevising as You Develop the First DraftFinal Thoughts on RevisionGetting the Opinions of Others

Chapter 9: Soliciting FeedbackWhy Feedback Is ImportantFinding the Right ReviewersYou May Be One of Your Best ReviewersWhen (and How) to Ask for FeedbackWhat to Do with Feedback You ReceiveHuman Nature and Getting FeedbackAddressing Your Editor's Questions and CommentsRewarding Your ReviewersMaking the Feedback Process WorkCompleting the Manuscript and Readying It for Publication

Chapter 10: Last StepsPreparing the Front Matter and Back MatterFront MatterBack MatterObtaining Endorsements and TestimonialsSubmitting Your Manuscript for PublicationReviewing Copy EditsReviewing Page Proofs (”Galleys”)Author's AlterationsHandling Mistakes Found After PrintingResponding to Readers Who Point Out ErrorsPromoting Your WorkFinal Thoughts

Appendix A: Sample Book ProposalAppendix B: Example of How to Rework Copyrighted Material to Make It Your OwnAppendix C: Tools Every Technical Writer Should HaveIndex